D-Fenders Advance in D-League Playoffs

Published on April 15, 2008 under NBA G League (G League)
Los Angeles D-Fenders News Release


EL SEGUNDO, CA - The Los Angeles D-Fenders, led by Errick Craven's 22 points, including ten in the fourth quarter, to go with eight assists and seven rebounds, defeated the Colorado 14ers 102-95 in the first round of the NBA Development League Playoffs presented by Delta Airlines on Tuesday, April 15 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles.

With the win, Los Angeles' season record improves to 33-18 and the team advances to the second round of the D-League playoffs. The team will face division foe Idaho Stampede in Boise on Friday, April 18.

"Our defensive intensity was the difference in the second half," said Craven. "Communication was there and we were able to finish."

A hotly contested battle, the game featured 14 lead changes and 13 ties until the D-Fenders captured the lead on a Jelani McCoy jump shot with 6:45 to play in the final period. Los Angeles' lead was cut to three on a Kaniel Dickens three-pointer with 29 seconds to play, but the 14ers never got closer, as the D-Fenders lead surged to as many as nine points in the final seconds.

"They are a very good team. They have some big bruisers, but overall I thought that it was a great effort by our guys," said D-Fenders head coach Dan Panaggio. "The game was up for grabs, and it could have gone either way. I thought that we definitely seized the moment."

Los Angeles got a spark off the bench from Wendell White who scored 11 of his 17 points in the fourth period as the D-Fenders outscored Colorado 31-26 in the final stanza.

The 14ers, who finish their season with a 29-22 record, were led by Billy Thomas' 20 points. Taurean Green, on assignment from the Denver Nuggets, finished with 16 points while John Thomas chipped in with an 11-point, 10-rebound double-double.

Los Angeles forward Sean Banks left the game with a strained right rotator cuff in the first half and didn't return to action. His status will be reviewed and updated prior to Friday's game at Idaho.

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NBA G League Stories from April 15, 2008


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